Method and arrangement for cleaning of a canal

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for the cleaning of a circumferentially closed canal by means of a light guide conducting a laser beam, wherein the entry of the laser beam into the light guide is interrupted when the free end of the light guide is outside of the canal and/or the movement of the light guide within the canal is monitored and if there is no movement or the movement is below a first threshold value then a signal is triggered and/or the laser radiation is turned off or its output is reduced, and wherein the turning off of the laser radiation or its reducing is controlled in dependency of at least one signal change and/or a second threshold and/or a signal change relative to the second threshold determined during at least one course of time starting before and including the entry of the light guide into the canal.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method for the cleaning of a circumferentially closed canal by means of a light guide conducting a laser beam. The invention further relates to an arrangement comprising a laser radiation source, a light guide conducting a laser beam as well as a handpiece.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Medical instruments are often in contact with body fluids during surgical or diagnostic procedures which always have the risk of contamination with bacteria and debris. Many instruments like endoscopes or surgical instruments have small working channels, which are used to transport fluids or e.g. laser fibers into the body of a patient and even worse body fluids are removed via these channels from the body of a patient.

Therefore, efficient sterilization procedures for those devices are important as long the devices are no disposables. Especially the working channels are problematic from a hygiene standpoint, as they are not easy accessible and not visible from outside.

Conventional cleaning is done by soaking in a cleaning fluid and/or flushing a cleaning fluid through the working canals. Typically no direct check is done whether the cleaning was successful.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is it to provide a method and an arrangement for the cleaning of a circumferentially closed canal by means of laser beams. In connection with this, it has to be ensured on the one hand that the canal will not be damaged. On the other hand, it must also be ensured that persons are not put at risk by the laser beam. Another aspect of the invention is it to provide the possibility that the cleaning of the canal can be carried out in a simple manner wherein the procedure helps avoiding errors. Another aspect of the invention is to provide a compact unit by means of which the treatment as cleaning will be carried out.

The arrangement shall, in particular, enable its use without risking an incorrect treatment. It shall provide the possibility of an automated canal cleaning and canal treatment.

To solve one or more aspects, the invention provides a method for the cleaning of a circumferentially closed canal by means of a light guide conducting a laser beam, wherein the entry of the laser beam into the light guide is interrupted when the free end of the light guide is outside of the canal and/or the movement of the light guide within the canal is monitored and if there is no movement or the movement is below a first threshold value then a signal is triggered and/or the laser radiation is turned off or its output is reduced, and wherein the turning off of the laser radiation or its reducing is controlled in dependency of at least one signal change and/or a second threshold and/or a signal change relative to the second threshold determined during at least one course of time starting before and including the entry of the light guide into the canal.

According to a further independent proposal it is provided that the turning off of the laser radiation or its reducing is controlled in dependency of at least two signal changes and/or two second thresholds different from each other and/or signal changes relative to the two second thresholds determined during at least two courses of time starting before and including the entry of the light guide into the canal.

An independent proposal to solve the problem provides that the position of the free end of the light guide within the canal is checked and/or monitored.

According to a further independent proposal it is provided that a material present on the inside of the canal is removed through laser-induced hydrodynamic fluid movement.

According to a further independent proposal it is provided that a closure element is secured to one free end of a light guide conducting a laser beam, the light guide with the closure element is introduced into the canal, that the closure element is positioned in the region of the canal to be sealed and after positioning of the closure element energy is introduced, the closure element melts and/or softens and remains in this position in the canal and seals it tightly.

According to a further independent proposal it is provided that the closure element is melted through the laser radiation transmitted through the light guide or through electrical energy.

According to a further independent proposal it is provided that the closure element is connected to the free end of the light guide by means of a connecting material, with the melting temperature T1 thereof being higher than the melting temperature T2 of the closure element material.

According to a further independent proposal it is provided that after sealing of the canal, in particular its opening, a closure material is introduced into the canal and the light guide within the closure material is moved in the longitudinal axis direction of the canal at the same time as the laser beam is introduced.

According to a further independent proposal it is provided that mechanical effect of the energy introduced into the closure material via the laser radiation is greater than the macroscopic thermal effect of the energy introduced.

According to a further independent proposal it is provided that a sealing material is used that melts and/or foams through the introduction of heat energy and forms a closed-pore canal seal after cooling, in particular that sodium hydrogen carbonate enveloped by gutta percha material is used as the sealing material.

According to a further independent proposal it is provided that a material that comprises a first component and a second component which react with one another in a volume-expanding manner is used as sealing material.

According to a further independent proposal it is provided that a material is used as a closure element that comprises an in particular volume-scattering core material and an expanding material that envelops it.

According to a further independent proposal it is provided that an Er:YAG laser, Er:YSGG laser or CTE laser is used as the laser.

According to a further independent proposal it is provided that the laser is operated with a pulse duration between 5 μs and 1000 μs, preferably between 25 μs and 400 μs, and especially preferably between 50 μs and 200 μs.

According to a further proposal it is provided that a laser beam is used that has a pulse energy exiting from the light guide between 0.5 mJ and 50 mJ, in particular between 1 mJ and 10 mJ.

According to a further independent proposal it is provided that a verification of whether the light guide is inside the canal or outside the canal is carried out through

-   -   a) the radiation received by the light guide that is derived         from the area surrounding the light guide, and/or     -   b) through the changing reflection component of the radiation         reflected at the end of the light guide, and/or     -   c) measurement of a change in impedance via an outer         metallization of the light guide, and/or     -   d) measuring the distance to the nearest object in the vicinity         of the fiber tip with time of flight measurement (TOF), and/or     -   e) measuring the ambient light with a sensor integrated in the         TOF chips, and/or     -   f) measuring the distance to the nearest object in the vicinity         of the fiber tip by ultrasound pulses.

According to a further independent proposal it is provided the positioning of the light guide is verified redundantly by any combination or selection of options a) to f), in particular by means of the steps a)+b) or a)+c) or b)+c) or c)+f), especially preferred by means of a)+b)+c) or c) +d) or d)+e) or c)+d)+e).

Subject matter of the invention is also an arrangement comprising a laser radiation source arranged within a laser device, a light guide conducting a laser beam as well as a handpiece, wherein the handpiece is detachably connected, preferably rotationally, to a delivery device, via which at least the laser beam and a liquid can be fed to the handpiece, as well as a first line guiding the liquid, that extends with its aperture side in the region of the light guide, and with the laser beam being directed into a canal via the light guide detachably connected with the handpiece, wherein at least on pre-pressurized fluid container is attached to the laser device.

A further proposal according to the invention provides that the handpiece is connected to at least one cleaning fluid container or has such a container, from which a line emanates, the opening of which extends on the light guide side.

A further proposal according to the invention provides that the cleaning fluid container is connected to the handpiece such that it can be detached or plugged on to it.

A further proposal according to the invention provides that the device has further exchangeable, disposable containers for different cleaning fluids (as sterile water and/or NaOCl and/or EDTA and/or PDT-fluids) which are pressurized by compressed air of a dental chair provided by a dental turbine connector.

A further proposal according to the invention provides that the cleaning fluid container is provided with a closable exit opening that can be controlled by an electromagnetically-actuatable valve controlled by a microcontroller.

A further proposal according to the invention provides that the electromagnetic valve is separated into an excitation part with a magnetic coil and a part of a ferromagnetic core in the hand piece and a ferromagnetic material as valve opener as part of the exit valve in a container.

A further proposal according to the invention provides that a flexible membrane or a piston separates the fluid from an air inlet.

A further proposal according to the invention provides that at least one fluid container is attached to the laser device and the laser device has no connection to a dental chair/dental treatment center and no air is needed to generate the water mist exiting the hand piece.

A further proposal according to the invention provides that the light guide has a metallisation on its outer surface.

A further proposal according to the invention provides that the light guide has a metallisation on its outer surface with two regions that are electrically insulated with respect to one another.

A further proposal according to the invention provides that the regions insulated with respect to one another enmesh in one another in a comb-like manner at least at the tip of the light guide.

A further proposal according to the invention provides that the metallisation has hydrophobic characteristics over at least the anterior ⅓ of the light guide.

A further proposal according to the invention provides that a movement sensor is integrated into the handpiece.

A further proposal according to the invention provides that a movement sensor and a rotation encoder are integrated into the handpiece for recognition of the handpiece rotation with respect to a delivery system.

A further proposal according to the invention provides that the light guide between a delivery device and the handpiece is made of a material, in particular of GeO, sapphire or ZrF₄, which conducts laser pulses up to 50 mJ and/or a mean laser output of 5 W in the wavelength range preferably between 2.69 μm and 2.94 μm, as well as in particular additionally in the wavelength range between 400 nm and 1000 nm.

A further proposal according to the invention provides that the light guide to be introduced into the canal is made of a material, in particular of OH-reduced silica or sapphire, which conducts laser pulses up to 50 mJ and/or a mean laser output of 5 W in the wavelength range preferably between 2.69 μm and 2.94 μm, as well as in particular additionally in the wavelength range between 400 nm and 1000 nm.

A further proposal according to the invention provides that the diameter of the light-conducting core of the light guide lies between 150 μm and 600 μm, in particular between 118 μm and 250 μm, wherein the light guide preferably has a protective layer on its outer side.

A further proposal according to the invention provides that the light guide has an outer diameter between 200 μm and 300 μm and/or a length between 25 mm and 40 mm.

A further proposal according to the invention provides that the laser is a diode-pumped Er:YAG laser, Er:YSGG laser or CTE laser with, in particular, a pulse duration between 5 μs and 1000 μs, preferably in the range 25 μs to 400 μs, especially preferred 50 μs to 200 μs, and/or a pulse energy between 0.5 mJ and 50 mJ, in particular between 1 mJ and 10 mJ and/or a mean output between 0.5 W and 10 W, preferably between 1 W and 3 W, with a pulse repetition rate in the range 50 Hz to 2000 Hz, preferably 50 Hz to 800 Hz.

A further proposal according to the invention provides that the arrangement is provided with a control device, as well as a housing that encloses the laser, which is connected to a supply device, in particular a medical one, through which the arrangement can be supplied with water and/or compressed air.

A further proposal according to the invention provides that the control device is provided with a touchscreen.

A further proposal provides that the laser device is a table top device enclosing the laser source, and is not connected to a supply device and has its own pre-pressurized fluid container attached.

Using a laser to generate steam bubbles and generating rapid fluid motion can improve the cleaning of small instrument canals significantly. Of course it is important not to damage the inner surface of the canals, which are often made of polymers and plastics. Therefore a laser with low pulse energy below the ablation threshold of the canal wall material is required. A diode pumped Er:YAG laser is ideal for this purpose, since the pulse repetition rate can be much higher than with conventional flashlamp pumped laser systems and can compensate for a lower pulse energy per pulse.

Killing bacteria in the working canals can be enhanced by using transient heat pulses as described in the text above Low power Er:YAG laser radiation in the order of 0.5 W with 200-800 Hz pulse repetition rate is fully sufficient to reach transient local peak temperatures on the canal wall well above 100° C. for killing bacteria and keeping the base temperature of canal wall material well below melting point or destruction thresholds.

It is important not to stay in one position with the cleaning fiber because this could cause local overheating of the sensitive canal walls. Therefore the motion detection of the fiber is an additional safety feature in this cleaning application.

For laser safety reasons it is further helpful to avoid laser emission before the cleaning fiber is introduced into the canal. Therefore a “fiber in canal detection” is provided with details described elsewhere in this text.

Additionally PDT (photodynamic therapy) protocols can be applied using fluids like Methylen Blue or Toluidin Blue, which are applied into the canal and the appropriate light is coupled into the light passing down into the canal. For Methylen Blue 670 nm with around 150 mW are required and 635 nm with ˜100 mW for Toluidin Blue. The advantage over traditional PDT procedures is the simultaneous delivery of Er:YAG/Er:YSGG laser energy to agitate the PDT fluid by laser energy, rapidly induce steam bubbles, adjacent fluid motion and heat the PDT fluid. This allows a much more intense contact of the fluids with the bacteria and debris.

Further it is helpful to know whether the cleaning procedure was successful by detecting remaining bacteria in the canals as described in this text with the example of root canal cleaning.

Of course this is not the only application for this cleaning technology. Many biotechnology procedures/bioreactors are endangered by bacteria, algae and debris deposition in small canals which can be cleaned with the proposed procedure and device.

And of course larger canals exceeding 1 mm diameter can be cleaned with this procedure as well then however requiring more laser pulse energy and multiple cleaning fibers positioned e.g. in an array or ring structure Required pulse energies are then in the order of n*0.1-50 mJ, where n is the number of single cleaning fibers.

In case of cleaning longer canals the terminal fiber introduced in the canal must have a better transmission than OH reduced silica. In that case sapphire is the ideal candidate material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention can be better understood and its advantages appreciated by those skilled in the art by referencing to the accompanying drawings. Although the drawings illustrate certain details of certain embodiments, the invention disclosed herein is not limited to only the embodiments so illustrated.

FIG. 1 depicts a diagram of a light guide with removable plug,

FIG. 2 depicts a diagram of a light guide inserted into a canal with an expanding plug,

FIG. 3 depicts the arrangement according to FIG. 2 with an expanded plug,

FIG. 4 depicts a diagram of the arrangement according to the invention,

FIG. 5 depicts a diagram of an electrode arrangement of the light guide tip,

FIG. 6 depicts a block diagram of a laser system,

FIG. 7 depicts a block diagram of the delivery system,

FIG. 8 depicts a diagram of a handpiece,

FIG. 9 depicts a schematic diagram of a handpiece,

FIG. 10 depicts a diagram of a handpiece with fluid cartridges,

FIG. 11 depicts a diagram of a cartridge with valve,

FIG. 12 depicts a diagram of a light guide,

FIG. 13 depicts a hand piece with fiber tip and TOF detection

FIG. 14 depicts details of the TOF detection

FIG. 15 depicts time diagrams of the various options of “fiber in-canal detection” for root canal treatment

FIG. 16 depicts time diagrams of the various options of “fiber in-canal detection” for non-medical applications

FIG. 17 depicts time diagrams of the various options of “fiber in-canal detection” for abuse of the device.

FIG. 18 depicts the placement of the cleaning fluid container on the laser system

FIG. 19 depicts details of the cleaning fluid container

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following, the invention will be explained on the basis of the cleaning of a canal, such canal being a root canal, however, without limiting the invention. Rather, the teaching according to the invention can be applied in all cases where particularly canals with small diameters are to be cleaned and/or closed as is for example the case with medical instruments, as explained in the introduction.

In case of a traditional root canal treatment, the pulp chamber is opened, the pulp tissue removed and the root canals are enlarged with mechanical files until a conical shape of the root canal is achieved. The canal is manually flushed with cleaning fluids via syringes. Then the canal is filled with a sealer and conical gutta-percha points are plugged and condensed into the canal to achieve a dense root canal filling.

For this procedure canal enlargement is necessary to create a conical shape of the canal consistent with the conical shape of the Gutta-percha points filling the canal. The material loss weakens the tooth; the procedure is time consuming, bears the danger of over-instrumentation and file fracture. The success rate ranges from below 70% to 95% depending on who is doing the treatment.

An easier, less time consuming and technique sensitive procedure could help to raise the average success rate and increase the comfort for the patient.

A procedure without enlarging the root canal would avoid above mentioned disadvantages. However it creates new challenges. Not enlarging the canal results in irregular shaped root canals like a cave. Therefore traditional root canal cleaning and filling is not possible, because conically shaped Guttapercha points cannot be inserted in such an unshaped root canal. A new filling technology is required.

Laser assisted root canal procedures use steam bubbles generated by laser energy to cleanse root canals which are already enlarged with mechanical files to a conical shape typically to size #40 or more. The steam bubble expansion and contraction causes water motion in the vicinity of the bubbles, which then cleanse the root canal walls.

Fotona, Biolase and KaVo sell or have sold dental laser systems which can be used for such an endodontic treatment. These lasers offer a wide range of dental indications up to drilling of cavities. The pulse repetition rate of these devices is typically limited to ˜50 Hz and they offer pulse energies up to 1 J, which is necessary for cavity preparation. For endodontic treatment pulse energy below 50 mJ is sufficient in combination with 50 Hz or pulse repetition rate (Thermal and acoustic problems on root canal treatment with different lasers, T. Ertl, H. Benthin, G. Müller, SPIE Vol. 2327 Medical Applications of Lasers 11(1994); Application of lasers in endodontics, T. Ertl, H. Benthin, B. Majaron, G. Müller, SPIE Vol 3192 Medical Applications of Lasers in Dermatology, Ophtalmology, Dentistry and Endoscopy (1997)) and the use of conical shape fiber tips (Canal Enlargement by Er:YAG Laser Using a Cone-Shaped Irradiation Tip, S. Shoji, H. Hariu, H. Horiuchi, J ENDONTICS VOL. 26, No. 8. AUGUST 2000; 454-458).

These traditional flash lamp pumped Er:YAG/YSGG laser have an energy conversion efficiency of ˜3% resulting in a large power supply and a bulky device with fluid cooling. This leads to a high price and thus very limited number of users.

Additionally these lasers are class 4 devices, the regulatory environment needs some efforts in a dental practice to comply with. A laser safety area must be declared and protected, a laser safety officer must be trained and nominated and DDS, assistant and patient need to wear eye protection goggles.

The actual laser assisted endodontic root canal procedure uses pulse energies in the range 5-30 mJ pulse energy, which is above the ablation threshold of dentin. Therefore generating a wrong pathway (via falsa) is possible, when protruding the laser fiber into the root canal.

In a protocol provided by DiVito (Effectiveness of the Erbium: YAG laser and new design radial and stripped tips in removing the smear layer after root canal instrumentation, E. DiVito, O. A. Peters, G. Olivi, Lasers Med Sci (2012) 27:273-280) the laser applicator is placed in the pulp chamber and not protruded into the root canals. Even without the need for protruding the laser applicator into the root canal the procedure requires pretreatment of the root canals to size #25 or #30. The laser energy generates fluid movement in the pulp chamber, which extends into the root canals partially. In favor of the method no fiber must be protruded into the canal. However disadvantages are inconsistent results, depending on the canal geometry and splashing of corrosive cleaning fluids out of the pulp chamber even out of the mouth of the patient can be observed due to relative high pulse energies of 25-30 mJ.

Recent technology improvement enabled the design of diode pumped Er:YAG/YSGG lasers.

A diode pumped Er:YAG/Er:YSGG laser developed specifically for endodontic treatment offers a smaller device and more economical solution. This laser system is based on laser system developed by Pantec. (WO 2010/145802 A1, Bragangna, Heinrich, Pantec Biosolutions AG) Main reason is an improved efficiency of the conversion of electrical energy into light energy. This allows using a much smaller power supply and reducing the cooling efforts.

A higher pulse repetition rate (up to 2000 Hz compared to 50 Hz) allows decreasing the pulse energy below the ablation threshold of dentin. This is important, because it avoids the formation of a “via falsa” (penetrating the root canal wall into the periodontium), which is a significant complication in endodontic treatment.

Totally unexpected, pulse energies in the range of 0.8-4 mJ in combination with pulse repetition rates between 50 Hz and 2000 Hz preferably 50 Hz-800 Hz allow in combination with effective cleaning fluids efficient cleaning of root canals. The low pulse energy avoids splashing of the cleaning fluids, minimizes the vibration of the tooth during treatment and avoids a root canal wall perforation by the laser fiber during treatment, because the laser energy density is below the ablation threshold of dentin.

The canal treatment as a root canal treatment with the device disclosed according to the invention starts like the traditional procedure with opening the pulp chamber, removing the pulp tissue in the pulp chamber, searching for the canal entrances and slightly enlarging the entrances, followed by path finding with file size up to size #25 which created a pathway with at least 250 μm diameter at the apex and more diameter more coronal, which is necessary to protrude a laser fiber with same or smaller diameter close to the apex.

No further canal enlargement is required. This saves significant working time and increases the patient comfort

The pulp chamber and the root canals are filled with cleaning fluid either manually with a syringe or automatically from fluid containers of the device and the laser fiber is inserted in to the root canal until 1 mm before the apex.

The laser radiation in a wavelength range 2.69-2.94 μm is strongly absorbed by fluids containing water and creates steam bubbles by vaporization in the fluid and causes hydrodynamic motion of the water in the root canal. This fluid motion cleanses the canal. The laser is activated and the laser fiber is moved up and down the root canal. Cleaning consists of removing vital and non-vital pulp tissue, bacteria and pus as well as opening the dentinal tubules. The main cleaning area is ˜1-2 mm around the fiber tip and some less efficient “far distance” cleaning effects in the whole root canal, mainly caused by resonance phenomena as interaction between the root canal geometry and acoustic waves caused by steam bubble formation and collapse.

After cleaning, the canal with one fluid the canal is dried either conventionally with paper points or with laser energy (or both combined) to remove the cleaning fluid from the canal. Additionally compressed air can be used exiting the applicator supporting the drying process. Then optionally further cleaning fluids are filled into the root canals sequentially (Manually with syringes or automatically with the device) and the treatment is repeated. Finally the canal is dried again.

Possible cleaning fluids can be water, comprising NaOCl (3-10%), EDTA (10-17%), and H₂O₂ (3-30%) or mixtures thereof.

Verdaasdonk et al. (WO 2013/049832 A2, Biolase inc., Netchitailo V., Boutoussov, D. Verdaasdonk, R. M. et al. Pressure wave root canal cleaning system) report on cleaning improvement with laser energies, typically larger than 5 mJ per pulse by adding gas bubbles to the cleaning fluid.

In contrary to Verdaasdonk's, disclosure cleaning with low pulse energies in the proposed range is less efficient, if the fluid contains gas bubbles before treatment. Best results are obtained with fluids without addition of gas bubbles or even degassed fluids.

To decide, whether a root canal is clean and dry enough and free of bacteria, a cleanliness check of the root canal can be done. Spectroscopic/fluorescent methods can be used guiding illumination/excitation light in the laser fiber into the root canal and collecting remitted light from the bacteria, debris and canal wall with same fiber. This can be done simultaneously to the laser cleaning. Bacteria emit fluorescence signatures in the visible wavelength range (especially 570 nm-650 nm) when excited with UV light (e.g. 405 nm) or in the near infrared range (e.g. 750-880 nm), when excited with red light 600-700 nm. Excitation in the visible range is preferable, because auto-fluorescence of dentin has a strong emission in the green spectral area around 530 nm.

Alternatively electrical impedance spectroscopy can be applied for canal diagnostics.

In case bacteria remain after cleaning in the root canal bacteria can be reduced by a specific temperature treatment using high repetition rate laser energy or/and a PDT procedure can be added to the treatment.

A pre-requisite for thermal killing of bacteria is a strong absorption of the laser radiation at the root canal surface. Diode lasers with emission wavelength between 750 nm and 980 nm used today for this purpose do not have a strong absorption in dentin, therefore are not ideal in part even dangerous, since the temperature rise in the periodontium and inside the root canal are nearly equal.

2.69-2.94 μm wavelength e.g. of the proposed diode pumped Er:YAG laser device is much better adapted to the task.

Therefore, low power Er:YAG laser radiation in the order of 0.5 W with 200-800 Hz pulse repetition rate is fully sufficient to reach local peak temperatures on the root canal wall well above 100° C. for killing bacteria and keeping the periodontal temperatures well below critical 43° C.

For PDT various protocols are available (e.g. Helbo, Dentofex, Wilson). For this treatment fluids like Methylen Blue or Toluidin Blue are applied into the root canal and the appropriate light is coupled into the light pass down into the root canal. For Methylen Blue 670 nm with around 150 mW are required and 635 nm with ˜100 mW for Toluidin Blue. The advantage over traditional PDT procedures is the simultaneous delivery of Er:YAG/Er:YSGG laser energy to agitate the PDT fluid by laser energy, rapidly inducing steam bubbles,causing adjacent fluid motion, and heating the PDT fluid. This allows a much more intense contact of the fluids with the bacteria and increases the penetration depth into the dentinal tubules compared to PDT without agitation or agitation with ultrasound.

Filling not enlarged canals 10 as root canals requires a new approach capable of covering irregular root canal space without voids. This is possible with a low viscosity obturation material. The risk is however a penetration of the filling material over the apex.

An apical “plug” placed in the apical region before filling the canal with the low viscosity material can prevent this. Conventional solutions for placing an apical plug are disclosed already (e.g. US2009/0220909 A1 Müller, Mannschedel, Coltene/Whaledent) but require however a canal preparation according to ISO and cannot be applied to irregular canals. Further they do not disclose the use of a laser system to place the plug.

In case of a small apex with a diameter in the order of laser fiber (250-350 μm) a plug 12 is attached axially to the laser fiber 14 (FIG. 1). Optional a connection material 16 between the fiber tip 18 and the plug 12 may improve the adhesion between plug material and the fiber tip 18.

The plug material may be pre-heated before insertion in an external furnace actually used to pre-heat Thermafil obturators.

The plug material may be covered additionally with a sealer prior to insertion in the root canal 10. The sealer may be composed as disclosed in US2014/0017636 A1 Berger et al., Dentsply intl. inc.

The laser fiber 14 with the plug 12 is protruded in the root canal 10 and pushed with slight pressure in position. At appropriate working length (length to apex −1 mm) the laser is activated and the plug 12 or the connection material 16 begins to melt at the connection to the laser fiber 14. The plug 12 can be slightly vertically condensed with the laser fiber 14. That will hold the plug 12 in position while removing the laser fiber 14. In the next step the low viscosity material is filled into the canal. This material can be e.g. a root canal filling material as disclosed in US 2014/0335475 A1 Berger el al., Dentsply intl. inc.

To improve the coverage of the root canal wall in recesses and not directly accessible areas the low viscosity filling material can be subjected to laser radiation, which is absorbed by the material and create steam bubbles, which accelerate the material against the root canal wall. Finally a material with same or higher viscosity (e.g. according to US 2014/0335475 A1) is filled into the canal to obturate the remaining canal volume. Lateral and/or vertical condensation may be applied.

Requirements for the plug material:

-   -   Bio-compatible     -   Hardness lower than dentin (relevant in case of re-treatment),         gutta-percha is an option.

In case of a direct connection of the gutta-percha to the laser fiber 14 the gutta-percha formulation must have a stable connection to the laser fiber 14 at storage and during insertion into the canal 10 at room temperatures and must melt in between 50° C. and 200° C. Gutta-percha has an absorption coefficient high enough to deposit enough energy in a few 10^(th) of micrometers, which ensures a very local heating of the interface to the laser fiber.

In case a connection material is used the connection material 16 must melt in between 45° C. and 200° C. and attach sufficiently to the laser fiber 14 and the plug material. The absorption coefficient at the laser wavelength must be high enough to deposit sufficient energy in a few 10^(th) of micrometers to melt the connection material with a power of less than 2 W, preferably below 100 mW within 1-3 seconds. The material melts between 45° C. and 200° C., which insures shelf stability and keeps the temperatures in the apical region low enough during the heat application.

Alternatively the gutta-percha plug may be attached to an applicator which is heated electrically. A tiny SMD resistors (EIA01005, 0.2×0.2×0.4 mm) or semiconductor material at the tip of a plastic applicator feeded by 2 copper wires with less than 250μm total diameter can be used.

In case of a wide apex 20 much wider than the fiber diameter e.g. 0.5-1mm the above described approach would fail.

For such a situation a material is needed that can expand the volume “on demand” (like popcorn or polyurethane foam). The base material could be attached again to the laser fiber 14 protruded in position at the apex 20 and then the expansion is initiated by either laser energy converted to heat by absorption or UV light, but with a plug 112 comprising an expandable material 114. The plug material 114 must expand at temperatures lower than the melting temperature of the connection material. After expansion of the plug material 114 and after some second of cooling to allow the plug material 114 to get harder, the laser power is increased for a short time duration e.g. 0.5-2 seconds to finally melt the connection material and remove the fiber tip 14 from the canal 10 without the danger of displacing the plug 112 from its apical position during removal.

Ideally the expansion of the plug material 114 is directed towards the canal wall. To achieve this, the expandable material must be placed on the side of a volume scattering material attached to the fiber tip 18 with a connection material. After expansion this volume scattering material 114 will remain in the canal 16 as part of the plug 112. To separate the plug from the fiber tip, the connection material is heated with Er:YAG laser radiation. In this case the connection material must be transparent for radiation in the visible range, which is scattered by volume scattering part 120 of the plug 112 into the expandable plug material 114 to heat the expandable plug material 114.

The plug material can be a dental composite material. The connection material can be a translucent (in the visible wavelength range) resin softening at less than 200° C.

The plug 112 with the middle part of the scattering material 120 and the expandable material 114 surrounding the core is depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Another option is attaching a material component A as expandable plug material to the laser fiber and a second Material B is applied to the first material just before insertion into the root canal, which starts a reaction with volume expansion. The laser energy would then only be used to melt the connection of the plug material and the laser fiber, which has kept the plug material in the correct position before it fixes itself to root canal wall by expansion.

A material with an expansion factor of 3 can fill the gap between a #25 (250 μm diameter) plug and an apex diameter of #40 (400 μm diameter). An expansion factor of 7 can fill the gap to an apex diameter of #60 (600μm).

In case a fiber tip with larger diameter can be inserted without canal enlargement, which is often the case in anterior teeth a material with an expansion factor of 3 could fill the gap between a #40 (400 μm diameter) plug and an apex diameter of #70 (700 μm diameter). An expansion factor of 7 could fill the gap in this example to an apex diameter of #100 (1000μm).

Example for an expandable material: A mix of Natriumhydrogencarbonat (sodium bicarbonate)+guttapercha particles. When heat is applied via the optical fiber tip the following reaction 2 NaHCO₃→Na₂CO₃+CO₂↑−H₂O releases CO₂ and forms a foam with the meltede Guttapercha particles.

To keep the pH in physiological range an acid (e.g. Citric acid) may be added which will produce additional foam in a moist environment Alternatively any biocompatible foaming agent in combination with Guttapercha including the disclosure in US2014/0017636 A1 and US 2014/0335475 A1 both Berger et al., Dentsply intl. inc. can be used.

Small sodium bicarbonate particles may be encapsulated in gutta-percha to create a closed bubble foam.

Examples of different kind of plugs, plug materials, connection materials, and expandable materials are specified in Table I.

TABLE I Connection material Plug Options Plug material (Plug to fiber) Expandable material Option 1 Guttapercha, Thermafil (Plug material directly fixed to fiber tip, no expansion) Option 2 Guttapercha, Thermafil “Glue” melts (Plug material glued between 50 and 200° C., with connection material biocompatible good to fiber tip, no expansion) adhesion to silica fiber and guttapercha Option 3 .=expandable material “Glue” melts biocompatible material expands (Expandable plug material between 80° C. and 200° C., 3 to 7 times the original volume glued with connection biocompatible good Expansion may start by heat material to fiber tip adhesion to silica (Temperature 50-70° C.) fiber and guttapercha must be flexible like guttapercha Option 4 Plug base material Optical Glue melts between biocompatible material expands (volume scattering plug base properties like a Dental 80° C. and 200° C., 3 to 7 times the original volume material glued with connection composite “Transpa” or biocompatible good Expansion may start by heat material to fiber tip, and “Enamel” semitranslucent adhesion to silica fiber (Temperature 50-70° C.) covered with expandable material and side scattering >60% and guttapercha must be flexible like guttapercha on the cone walls and apical) in visible spectral range must be flexible like guttapercha biocompatible

A device according to the invention is shown in principle in FIG. 4. The device comprises a desktop device 40 with a touch screen 42 and a housing with integrated cooling elements 44.

The housing is connected to the turbine connector of a dental unit 6 (connector 46) to have supply with water and compressed air.

The desktop housing is connected to a handpiece 48 with a delivery system 50.

The handpiece 48 is connected to the delivery system 50 via a rotation coupling. A fiber tip 52 can be connected to the handpiece and disposable containers 54 with cleaning fluid can be attached and removed from the handpiece. The housing is connected with the handpiece 48 via a connecting line 56.

The portable desktop device 40 comprises a laser as energy source. The laser radiation is transmitted with a delivery system together with water and compressed air and optionally cleaning fluids to the handpiece 48 with detachable fiber tip 52.

The energy source is a Diode pumped ER:YAG—(Wavelength 2.94 μm), Er:YSGG—(Wavelength 2.78 μm) or CTE Laser (wavelength 2.69 μm). The pulse length is between 5 -1000 μs, preferably 25-400 μs, most preferably 50-200 μs. The pulse energy is between 0.5-50 mJ, preferably 1-10mJ at the distal end of the applicator. This requires around the double pulse energy at cavity exit. The average power is between 0.5-10 W preferably 1-3 W and the peak power is <600 W at cavity exit.

Further the device is equipped with light sources for aiming beam and apical plug heating and optional for bacteria detection and for PDT.

The aiming beam is coupled through the Er:YAG rod from the 100% reflection mirror side and the other light source for apical plug heating and PDT is coupled into the light path with a dichroitic beam combiner. High power LEDs or laser diodes e.g. ADL-63VOANP (Laser Components) may be used. The laser diode may be operated in parallel to the MID IR laser and is simultaneously transmitted to the handpiece. For fluorescence excitation (bacteria detection, canal cleanliness detection) cw or pulsed laser diodes in the range 350-700 nm are used.

The device uses preferably air cooling for laser cavity and electronics.

A schematic depiction of the laser system is shown in FIG. 6 which is self-explaining.

Especially, the invention is characterized by a diode pumped Er:YAG-/Er:YSGG/CTE:YAG laser providing a cleanliness check of the canal as root canal via the same optical fiber used for the canal cleaning with the following excitation/detection wavelength ranges for bacteria fluorescence detection.

-   -   a) Excitation 405-450 nm/detection 570-650 nm     -   b) Excitation 600-700 nm/detection 750-880 nm.

Further, the invention is characterized by a diode pumped Er:YAG-/Er:YSGG/CTE:YAG laser providing a cleanliness check of the canal as root canal via a metallization layer on the optical fiber tip used for the root canal cleaning using electrical impedance spectroscopy.

In addition, the invention is characterized by a diode pumped Er:YAG-/Er:YSGG/CTE:YAG laser providing energy (0.05 W-3 W with 200-800 Hz pulse repetition rate) into the canal as root canal via a fiber optic tip to heat the root canal inner surface via radiation absorption up to a 500 μm vicinity to temperatures lethal for bacteria reaching local peak temperatures on the root canal wall well above 100° C. and keeping the periodontal temperatures well below critical 43° C.

A further feature of the invention is a diode pumped Er:YAG-/Er:YSGG/CTE:YAG laser providing an additional light source emitting at 670 nm with around 80-200 mW and/or 635 nm with 50-150 mW to simultaneously initiate PDT with fluids like Methylen Blue or Toluidin Blue and agitate the PDT fluid by laser energy with rapidly induced steam bubbles and adjacent fluid motion and heat.

Water and compressed air are provided by plugging a dental turbine connector in a socket of the device. The device may have further exchangeable containers 54 for different cleaning fluids (sterile water, NaOCl, EDTA), if these containers 54 are not positioned directly at the handpiece 48. These cleaning fluid containers are pressurized by the compressed air of the dental chair provided by the dental turbine connector 46.

The fluid flow from these containers 54 to the handpiece 48 is controlled with electromagnetic valves operated via the μC (embedded micro-controller). Controlling the laser parameters and the sequencing of the cleaning fluids, laser assisted drying and compressed air allows a fully automated cleaning process canal by canal (TABLE II). The dentist needs just to press a start button and then move gently the fiber in the canal up and down until a ready sign appears (LED or Beep). Then the fiber 14 is inserted in the next canal and the procedure is repeated.

TABLE II 30 s Optional: H₂O, 100 Hz, 1.8 mJ (Pre - cleaning) with low AVG power, create access for water in deeper canal sections) 30 s H₂O, 400 Hz, 1.8 mJ (Cleansing with 0.8 W AVG power) 10 s Rinse & dry canals with laser 800 Hz, 0.5 mJ, (laser drying is faster than with paper points) 30 s 5.2% NaOCl 400 Hz, 1.8 mJ (Dissolve pulp tissue) 10 s Rinse & dry canals with laser 800 Hz, 0.5 mJ 60 s 17% EDTA 50 Hz, 3.5 mJ (every 6 s for 1 s laser treatment) 10 s Rinse & dry canals with laser 800 Hz, 0.5 mJ

Parameter Range

Min-Max

[Preferred Min-Max]

TABLE III g Time [s] Pulse energy [mJ] Pulse repetition rate [Hz] Pre-cleaning 10-120, 0.25-30 50-500 [20-60]  [0.5-10] [50-200] Cleaning 10-120, 0.25-60  50-1000 [20-60]  [0.5-20] [50-400] Drying 5-30, 0.25-5  100-2000 [5-15] [0.25-2]  [200-1000] Cleaning 10-120, 0.25-60  50-1000 with NaOCl [20-60]  [0.5-20] [50-400] Cleaning 10-120, 0.25-60  50-1000 with EDTA [20-60]  [0.5-20] [50-400]

The laser parameters used when cleaning a canal are specified in TABLE III.

Mechanisms are provided to ensure that the laser can only operate, if the laser fiber 14 is placed in the root canal 10 to reduce laser safety risks.

When the fiber tip 18 is inserted into the root canal 10 the light received through the fiber 14 is far less compared to the fiber 14 being in ambient light. A detector in the laser system measures the light coming back from the fiber tip 18 and detects the absolute light level and the change in light level (first derivative). This detection can be done independently from any micro-controller or detection software. It is based on fixed wired hardware with a fail-safe design, which disables the laser system in case of a hardware fault in the detection unit.

The electronics further can detect the change of reflection of light emitted into the fiber delivery system (e.g. the aiming beam) when the refraction index difference changes while immersing the fiber tip 18 into the fluid contained in the root canal. The light of the aiming beam is amplitude modulated to differentiate the signal from the ambient light.

FIG. 13 shows another method for the “fiber in canal detection”. This method performs a distance measurement between a front 210 of an application hand piece 212 and an entrance 214 of a canal 216, which is surrounded by solid material/tissue.

When a fiber tip 218 enters the canal 216 the distance D between the material surrounding the canal entrance 214 begins to get smaller than the fiber tip length L, which can be used as an indicator that the fiber tip 218 has entered a canal.

Technically this can be done by ultrasound pulse reflection or by time of flight (TOF) measurements of photons, where the time between a laser pulse emission and reception is measured. In both methods the material surrounding the canal entrance 214 reflects the waves sent from the hand piece 212 to the object containing the canal 216. As meanwhile inexpensive integrated circuits with mechanical dimensions in the order of few mm are available offering optical distance measurement based on TOF (e.g. STM VL53L0x, VL6180x), such a chip 220 can be integrated in a front section 222 of the applicator hand piece 212.

The measurements range is specified from 0 cm to around 200 cm, while the distance measurement from 0 to 5 cm is not very precise. To improve this the distance can be virtually enlarged by adding optical fibers 224 in front of the sensitive sections of the TOF-sensors 220 as SPAD sensors and the light source, as shown in FIG. 14. This gives additional pathway length and thus shifts the distance into a better measureable region. The fibers 224 should have a length of 2-8 cm. To further improve the distance resolution two or more such chips can be used in combination with fibers of different length targeting on the same region to create overlapping time bins.

One time bin of such ICs is typically 50 ps. Therefore time delay differences created with optical fibers as delay lines of e.g. 25 ps in case of two chips or 16 ps and 32 ps in case of 3 chips will improve the distance resolution by enabling to interpolate between the different time bins.

One of the available ICs offers already an integrated solution combining the TOF distance measurement with detection of ambient light. Differently to the ambient light detection method described elsewhere in the text the ambient light is not collected via the fiber tip 218 delivering the laser radiation, but at the distal end 210 of applicator hand piece 212, with a detection direction “looking” slightly from the side towards the fiber tip 218 without having the fiber tip 218 directed in the aperture 226 of the TOF sensor optics 228.

For hygienic reasons such a hand piece 212 is typically built with a central not sterilizable part 230 containing optics and electronics and an outer envelope 232 as shell or housing which is sterilizable. This shell must have additional optical windows 234 to allow the measurement radiation pass through the shell. (See FIG. 13)

This measurement methods can be combined with all other “in-canal-detection” methods described in the application. Recording the data of one or several “fiber-in-canal” detection methods over time allows to define a typical time profile of a normal use of the device, as show in FIGS. 15 and 16. Abnormal time profiles may be used to detect an abuse of the device and the laser may not be switched on or is switched off when already active. (See FIG. 17)

FIG. 13 shows a sketch of the laser hand piece 212 with the outer removable and sterilizable shell 232 and the inner part 230 with optical and electronic components as a laser delivery fiber 236, the focusing lens 238, the deflection mirror 240 and the Time of flight measurement components comprising the TOF chip 220, two optical fibers as delay lines 224, the sensor optics 228 with deflection 242 and focusing element 244. The optical fiber tip 218 is plugged into the hand piece 212.

The Deflection and focusing element 228 is targeting the TOF laser beam and corresponding light path backwards to the receiver section of the chip 220 towards the vicinity of the distal end of the fiber tip 218.

In case of using a fluid spray (not shown in FIG. 13) the fluid spray can be switched off periodically to avoid disturbance of the measurement.

FIG. 14 shows details of distance measurement components. The TOF chip 220 has two apertures for the emitter 246 and receiver 248. Both apertures are coupled with focusing elements 249 into optical fibers 224 and distal of the fibers 224 the light from light emitter and to the light receiver are coupled via the focusing element 244 into the deflection optics 242 (prism, mirror). In case the TOF chip provides additional ambient light measurement via a third aperture, a third fiber with same coupling is used.

FIG. 15 shows course of times or time profiles 250, 252, 254, 256, 258 of the different “fiber in canal” detection measurements.

First time profile 250 shows the TOF measurement. Most important is the criterion of the distance D between the focusing element 238 and a distal end 260 of the fiber tip 218 smaller than the length L of the fiber tip 218 corresponding in the time profile 250 to line 262 at 3 cm, which indicates the fiber 218 must be in the canal 216 of an object.

Additionally the ambient light measurement of the TOF chip 220 detects an increase of the ambient light when approaching the extra-oral area of the patient because the treatment unit light is reflected from the patient's skin and from the teeth when coming closer (second diagram 252).

In the third diagram 254 the ambient light measurement through the fiber tip 218 is most significant at the moment the fiber tip 218 is introduced in the “dark” canal 216, where no ambient light is available.

When using light reflection measurement through the fiber tip 218, the reflection will increase when approaching the tooth and be maximal when working in the canal 216 (fourth diagram 256).

Finally in the impedance measurement diagram (fifth diagram 258) most important is the point in time t5, where the metallic coating of the fiber tip immerses into the canal filled with conductive fluid, when the impedance lowers from close to indefinite to laser radiation a much smaller value.

In case of non-medical applications using the diagrams 264, 266, 268, 270, 272 are seen in FIG. 16. Non-medical applications are for example working channels of endoscopes or channels or tubes of bioreactors. Again in the first diagram the 264 TOF measurement is most significant at time t3 to t6, when the measured distance is smaller than the length of the fiber tip (time 274 at 10 cm in the example) because the tip must be in a canal of object.

Ambient light measured with the ambient light detector integrated in the TOF chip will increase when coming closer to the object, but can get lower when coming even closer to the object due to shading the ambient light with the hand piece (second diagram 266).

Ambient light measurement through the fiber tip shows a significant decrease at time t3, when entering into the canal with the fiber tip, at least in objects which are no translucent for ambient light (third diagram 268).

The reflected light measurement in the fourth diagram 270 will show increasing reflection at time t3 when approaching the object and be maximal when the fiber tip is in the canal (time t3 to t6) of a highly scattering, low absorbance object (fourth diagram 270).

Finally the impedance measurement shows a significant drop of impedance at time t3 when immersing the metal coated surface of the fiber tip in the canal filled with cleaning fluid (fifth diagram 272).

FIG. 17 shows time profiles or course of time 276, 278, 280, 282, 284 of abusing the device by approaching the eye of a person for example in case of a medical/dental application. In that case the distance measurement will never be smaller than the fiber tip length (time 286 in first diagram 276), the ambient light will increase (second diagram 278) and the ambient light measurement through the fiber tip will not drop (third diagram 280) and impedance measurement will not show a decreasing impedance as long the eye is not touched directly with tip (fifth diagram 284).

Another method to detect the fiber tip 18 position inside a root canal 10 is to metallize the surface of the fiber 14, inject a measurement current (AC) into the electrode(s) 180, 182 and measure the impedance change during insertion of the fiber into the root canal 10. The fiber 14 may be fully metallized as one electrode in combination with a counter electrode held by the patient or attached to the mouth of the patient (lip clip). A preferred solution is, however, a dual electrode concept, i.e. a first and a second electrode 180, 182, avoiding a counter electrode. Unambiguous connection is guaranteed by indexing the fiber tip.

Metallization layer may consist of a full coating of the optical fiber except the conical part of the fiber tip or may be a structured layer forming one or more electrodes on the same outer fiber surface.

A metallized tip configuration enables further “Canal is still wet” detection preferably with a dual electrode metallized fiber tip (see FIG. 5).

A wet canal has a significantly higher relative permittivity constant compared to a dry canal. H₂O: {grave over (ε)}: 80-90 and ε̋: 3-30 compared to dentin {grave over (ε)}: 1-8 and ε̋: 0.3-5. This can be utilized to determine the degree of humidity of the root canal. Measurement is done with a single frequency or multiple single frequencies or a sweep over a frequency band, which can be in the range 1 Hz to 10 GHz, preferably 1 kHz-2.4 GHz. A hydrophobic coating is applied in the area of the electrode to avoid direct not reversible wetting of the electrodes.

Using the canal humidity detection in combination with a laser based canal drying procedure, by applying laser energy with 0.1-1 W with 200-800 Hz pulse repetition rate allows a feedback controlled canal drying procedure.

Further impedance spectroscopy can be used for bacteria detection in the root canal 10 and length measurement during cleaning the canal 10. A special variant of impedance spectroscopy offered by NuMed (Patent U.S. Pat. No. 9,119,548B2) analyzing the harmonics generated by bacteria cell walls, can be integrated into the proposed cleaning device and allow bacteria detection in the root canal.

Using the metallized fiber 14, root canal length measurement with impedance measurements can be performed simultaneously with cleaning to indicate the correct position of the fiber tip 18 during treatment and not to exceed the apex 20.

To differentiate an upper jaw from a lower jaw treatment an inertial sensor e.g. is used (MEMs device e.g. Kionix KXTF9). This is important, since the fluid refill rate is different treating upper or lower jaw cases.

Further this inertial platform provides data for the movement direction of the fiber tip 18 (into- or out of the root canal 10). This is important to switch off the laser when pushing the fiber tip 18 into the root canal 10, in case an application requires an energy density above the ablation threshold.

Further the motion information provided by the motion sensor can be used to detect whether the dentist is continuously moving the fiber in the canal and remind the dentist with warning information, if he stops the movement during treatment and reduce or switch off the laser power.

Additionally the inertial platform data can be used to crosscheck with the fiber position data provided from the impedance based fiber position measurement.

The delivery system 50 connects the portable desktop device 40 with the handpiece 48 similar to a dental drill handpiece.

To avoid torque on the light guide the handpiece 48 is connected to the delivery system 50 with free rotation with low friction around the longitudinal axis.

The laser radiation is transported via a GeO, sapphire, ZrF₄ or any other light guide capable transmitting radiation (up to 50 mJ, up to 5 W Avg. power, 500 W peak power) in the wavelength range 2.69-2.94 μm and additionally 400 nm-1000 nm to the handpiece. The core diameter of the light guide fiber is between 150 and 600μm, preferably 180-250 μm. The light guide end surfaces are protected against moisture and may be coated with an anti-reflective material.

Compressed air and water available at the dental unit of the dental chair, connected to the device is guided through the delivery system together with the light guide.

Optional further cleaning fluids from exchangeable containers plugged in the device can be transported in the delivery system to the handpiece.

Electrical wires provide data and power transport between handpiece and desktop unit. To keep the number of wires and connectors low, a SPI- or I²C-bus system is used.

A bending protection insures that the fiber 14 is not bended beyond the allowed bending radius for oscillating bending.

The delivery system 50 is detachable from device in case of a need for repair and the handpiece 48 can be detached from the delivery system 50 routinely for cleaning/sterilization.

FIG. 7 is a schematic depiction of the delivery system 50 which is self-explaining.

As an alternative to the placement of the motion sensor in the handpiece the sensor can be placed in the most distal part of the delivery system. This would avoid sterilization cycles to be applied to the sensor chip. Then however a rotation position detection between handpiece and delivery system must be added.

The handpiece 48 is connected with the delivery system 50 with a rotational coupling 58, which allows to deliver water (line 60) and pressurized air (line 62) to the handpiece 48. Air and water are delivered to the front section of the handpiece 48 and are applied towards the fiber 14 with nozzles 64. The laser radiation is supplied from the delivery system 50 with an optical fiber 66, via a protection window 68, a lens 70, and a deflection mirror 72 to the fiber 14. Fluid containers 54 are snapped on the handpiece 48. A motion sensor 74 is placed in the front section of the delivery system 50 and can detect in combination with a rotation encoder 76 the motion of the fiber tip 18 (see also FIG. 8).

In the handheld applicator a removable, disposable fiber 14 can be plugged in under an angle in the order 70-130° to main direction of the handpiece 48. This fiber tip 18 is introduced into the root canal.

The handpiece 48 is comparable to a small dental handpiece, ideally contra-angle. The handpiece 48 is rotatable around longitudinal axis.

The laser beam deflection into attachable fiber 14 by ˜90° is performed with the flat mirror 72 and a separate focusing element or a focusing mirror.

The disposable fiber 14 is connected to the handpiece 48 with a connector allowing unique positioning with an indexing connection to allow at least 2 electrical connections unambiguously being connected to contacts in the handpiece 48.

In a simple version of the handpiece 48 only water and air are available for the treatment directly out of the handpiece 48. Other cleaning fluids are applied manually with a syringe into the root canals 10.

Pressurized air and water may form a mist. 10 -30 ml/min water and 5-10 l/min air are used to form the mist.

A fluid beam is directed towards the last ⅓ of fiber 14 with angle ca. 10-20° from fiber 14 longitudinal axis. The water speed at exit of the handpiece is larger than 0.6 m/s.

A Start/Stop button may be integrated in the handpiece.

A schematic depiction of the handpiece 48 with its components is shown in FIG. 9, which is self-explaining.

In a variant of the handpiece 48 disposable fluid containers 54/(also called cartridges) for NaOCl and EDTA are directly attached to applicator. The cartridge 54 has a fluid guidance close to the fiber 14 (see FIG. 10). A direct placement at the handpiece 48 is possible since the treatment requires only small amounts of fluid in the order of 1-2 ml per fluid. Main objective is to keep the partially corrosive fluids separate from the handpiece 48, delivery system 50 and desktop device 40. Further objective is to avoid dripping before and after usage. An inexpensive solution to achieve these objectives is the separation of an electromagnetic valve 78 into the excitation part with the magnetic coil 80 and a part of the ferromagnetic core 82 in the handpiece 48 and a ferromagnetic material as valve 78 opener as part of the exit valve in the disposable cartridge 54. The cartridge 54 is set under air pressure when placing the cartridge 54 in the handpiece 48. A flexible membrane or a piston 84 may separate the fluid from the air inlet. For more details, see FIG. 11.

In a further variant of the device the device is not connected to the dental treatment center. To get the device completely independent of the supply with fluid and air from a dental treatment center a detachable fluid container can be placed on the laser device (not on the hand piece as proposed for the cleaning fluids as described before).

As an air compressor inside the laser device to pressurize the system is noisy a detachable fluid container is used, which is pre-pressurized comparable to a spray can. The connection to the fluid delivery system inside the laser device is done by a cylinder entering into an O-ring to first create a pressure dense seal and then open the pathway from the container to the fluid supply system. The container is partially filled with fluid 10 ml-1 l, most preferable 100 ml-250 ml. The rest of the container is space for the gas providing the pressure. The gas may be air, inert gas.

As an alternative a substance with a vapor pressure around 3-8 bar at room temperature e.g. Butane in combination with partitioning the inside of the fluid container into two compartments, separated by flexible membrane.

The fluid in the container can be sterilized water, physiological saline solution or other fluids, optionally containing bactericidal ingredients as e.g. H₂O₂ or CHX, but not limited to.

To keep the internal tubing and valves free of biofilm a second container with a sterilization fluid can be attached instead of the cleaning fluid for daily/weekly cleaning as known from dental treatment centers.

To prohibit the intended use of the system as long sterilization fluid is in the system, the sterilization fluid container has means for identification e.g. RF ID chip or a mechanical marker to inform the laser device that it cannot be used for canal cleaning. After removal of the sterilization fluid container the software of the sterilization control requests first a normal cleaning fluid container to be attached and then enough fluid is released into the tubing system to completely replace the sterilization fluid. After completing the sterilization procedure the device can be used for canal cleaning or can be stored.

Another option is to place the sterilization fluid container additional as a second one on laser device parallel to the cleaning fluid container.

In case no connection to a dental treatment center (dental chair) is desired and using cleaning fluid cartridges mounted on the hand piece, the second container can be just filled with pressurized gas to support the pressurization of the cartridges on the hand piece.

As the laser device is in this option not connected to a dental treatment center (dental chair) no pressurized air is available. In this case the water mist is generated by water only in combination with a special nozzle.

FIG. 18 shows the positioning of a fluid container 300 on a laser device 302 in form of a table top device having a handpiece 212. The fluid container 300 is screwed top down into the laser device 302, enabling the fluid to be pressed out of the container 300 into the tubing of the laser device 302 only after a fluid and air tight connection is established between the fluid container 300 and the laser device 302. The connection is reversible. If there should be a rest of fluid and pressure still in the container 300 when it is removed, no fluid or gas will exit the container 300 The proposed solution is not limited to one fluid container. There may be a separate container with disinfection fluid be placed in the same way in the laser device for biofilm removal parallel to the cleaning fluid container, to avoid the exchange of the container for the daily/weekly disinfection procedure of the device.

FIG. 19 shows details of fluid container 300 with the cleaning fluid 304 and the pressurized gas reservoir 306. A valve mechanism 308 placed in a container cap 310 which allows water flow only after a water and gas tight connection has been established between the container and the tubing of the laser device. The corresponding part in the laser device is a tube 312 with an O-ring 314, which establishes the air and gas tight connection to the container. A screw thread on the container top fixes the container to the laser device.

The container can be made of metal or reinforced plastic sustaining pressure in the range of 3-10 bar. Water mist is generated emanating from the laser device in form of a handpiece via an airless working nozzle.

The fiber material must allow the transmission of a wavelength range from 400 nm to 2.94 μm with reasonable loss and cost. OH reduced silica fibers are an acceptable compromise with ˜50% attenuation over 5 cm length at 2.94 μm (including Fresnel reflection). The fiber 14 is a disposable surviving 3-4 root canals with moderate degradation. The end 18 of the fiber 14 is conically shaped without protection layer or metallization. Alternatively the fiber 14 can be hemispherical. The fiber 14 has an outer diameter of 200-300μm and a core diameter of 180-240 μm. The length of the fiber 14 is between 30-40 mm. A molded plastic part connects the fiber 14 with the handpiece. The fiber 14 may have an additional coating to improve fracture resistance and may have a surface metallization to allow measuring the insertion length in the root canal, to determine the distance to the apex during treatment. The contact surfaces of the electrodes contact to connectors in the coupling to the handpiece 48. The coupling part to the handpieces 48 allows only 2 180° rotated positions to allow for unambiguous connection of the two electrodes. The electrodes 180, 182 may be covered with a hydrophobic layer. Further details of the fiber 14 with its tip can be learned from FIG. 12.

A software controls the laser parameters, air and water flow and in the extended handpiece 48 variant the flow of up to two additional cleaning fluids.

Sequencer programs are available for the following applications:

-   -   Cleaning/Drying     -   Bacteria detection     -   Thermal bacteria reduction     -   aPDT     -   Apical plug placement     -   Obturation support

The Cleaning/drying program provides a sequence of cleaning and drying steps (see TABLE II). The parameters can be program individually and stored as “Preferred treatment programs”.

Bacteria detection is a program to detect remaining bacteria and/or bacteria residuals in the root canal via fluorescence detection.

Thermal bacteria reduction is a program to heat the inner root canal surface locally in a clear defined way. Pulse repetition rates preferably between 100 and 2000 Hz are used in combination with low pulse energies (0.1-1 mJ) to generate locally temperatures on the inner root surface and within a few 100^(th) of μm in the root canal wall high enough to kill remaining bacteria. No fluids are used in this program. Fiber motion is monitored by the motion detector to avoid any risk of local over-heating.

The aPDT program combines the traditional aPDT sequence known e.g. from Helbo with the laser generated steam bubbles to create motion in the aPDT dye fluid to enhance the contact and fluid exchange along the root canal wall. Instead of a cleaning fluid container an aPDT dye is inserted in the handpiece. After the aPDT the Dye is washed out the root canal automatically by flushing with water with support of laser generated steam bubbles.

For an irregular, not shaped root canal 10 a different obturation strategy is required. To support such an obturation method the device offers the following programs:

The apical plug placement program is used in combination with a fiber with attached gutta-percha plug. With the laser heat is applied to partially melt the plug in apical position and detach it from the fiber tip.

The obturation support program is used to accelerate a low viscosity obturation material placed over the apical plug in the root canal against the root canal wall to enhance the dense coverage of the whole root canal wall with obturation material. For that purpose transient steam bubbles are generated in the root canal filling material. The applied heat can further reduce the viscosity during the application additionally enabling the obturation material to creep in any niche of the canal.

The invention provides an automated control of the laser parameters and the sequencing of the cleaning fluids, laser assisted drying and compressed air, which allows a fully automated cleaning process.

Although the invention has been explained above with the help of the cleaning of a root canal, the teaching according to the invention is, as was already explained, suitable for the cleaning of canals in which canals of smaller diameters as those of root canals are to be cleaned, particularly such canals which do not extend evenly in their longitudinal direction. With respect to this, reference is made to the introductory explanations. 

1. A method for the cleaning of a circumferentially closed canal by means of a light guide conducting a laser beam, wherein the entry of the laser beam into the light guide is interrupted when the free end of the light guide is outside of the canal and/or the movement of the light guide within the canal is monitored and if there is no movement or the movement is below a first threshold value then a signal is triggered and/or the laser radiation is turned off or its output is reduced, and wherein the turning off of the laser radiation or its reducing is controlled in dependency of at least one signal change and/or a second threshold and/or a signal change relative to the second threshold determined during at least one course of time starting before and including the entry of the light guide into the canal.
 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the turning off of the laser radiation or its reducing is controlled in dependency of at least two signal changes and/or two second thresholds different from each other and/or signal changes relative to the two second thresholds determined during at least two courses of time determined in dependency of the entry of the light guide into the canal.
 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein a verification of whether the light guide is inside the canal or outside the canal is carried out through a) radiation received by the light guide that is derived from the area surrounding the light guide, and/or b) through the changing reflection component of the radiation reflected at the end of the light guide, and/or c) measurement of a change in impedance via an outer metallization of the light guide, and/or d) measuring the distance to the nearest object in the vicinity of the fiber tip with time of flight measurement (TOF), and/or e) measuring the ambient light with a sensor integrated in the TOF chips, and/or f) measuring the distance to the nearest object in the vicinity of the fiber tip by ultrasound pulses.
 4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the positioning of the light guide is verified redundantly by any combination or selection of options a) to f), in particular by means of the steps a)+b) or a)+c) or b)+c) or c)+f), especially preferred by means of a)+b)+c) or c)+d) or d)+e) or c)+d)+e).
 5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the data of one or several detection methods for determining the entry of the light guide in the canal (fiber-in-canal) are recorded over the at least one course of time and define typical time profiles of a normal use of the device as well as abnormal time profiles which indicate an abuse of the device and prohibit switching the laser on or switch off the laser when already active in case an abnormal time profile is detected.
 6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the position of the free end of the light guide within the canal is checked and/or monitored.
 7. A method according to claim 1, wherein material present on the inside of the canal is removed through laser-induced hydrodynamic fluid movement.
 8. A method according to claim 1, wherein bacteria killing with traditional PDT (photodynamic therapy) fluids like Methylen Blue with excitation at 670 nm or Toluidin Blue with excitation at 635 nm as further cleaning fluids are enhanced by using the laser induced hydrodynamic fluid motion to agitate these fluids.
 9. An arrangement comprising a laser radiation source arranged within a laser device (302), a light guide conducting a laser beam as well as a handpiece (212), wherein the handpiece is detachably, and preferably rotationally, connected to a delivery device, via which at least the laser beam and a liquid can be fed to the handpiece, as well as a first line guiding the liquid, that extends with its aperture side in the region of the light guide, and with the laser beam being directed into a canal via the light guide detachably connected with the handpiece, wherein at least one pre-pressurized fluid container (300) is attached to the laser device (302).
 10. An arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the handpiece is connected to at least one cleaning fluid container (54) or has such a container, from which a line (60, 62) emanates, the opening of which extends on the light guide side, and wherein the cleaning fluid container (54) preferably is connected to the handpiece (48) such that it can be detached or plugged on to it, and wherein the cleaning fluid container (54) preferably is provided with a closable exit opening that can be controlled by an electromagnetically-actuatable valve (78) controlled by a microcontroller, and preferably the electromagnetic ally-actuable valve (78) is separated into an excitation part with a magnetic coil (80) and a part of a ferromagnetic core (82) in the handpiece (48) and a ferromagnetic material as valve opener as part of the exit valve in a container (54).
 11. An arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the device has further exchangeable, disposable containers (54) for different cleaning fluids (as sterile water and/or NaOCl and/or EDTA and/or PDT-fluids) which are pressurized by compressed air.
 12. An arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the light guide (14) has a metallisation on its outer surface, preferably the light guide (14) has a metallisation on its outer surface with two regions that are electrically insulated with respect to one another, especially the regions insulated with respect to one another enmesh in one another in a comb-like manner at least at the tip (18) of the light guide (14), and wherein the metallisation preferably has hydrophobic characteristics over at least the anterior ⅓ of the light guide (14).
 13. An arrangement according to claim 9, wherein a movement sensor (74) is integrated into the handpiece (48), preferably a movement sensor (74) and a rotation encoder (58) are integrated into a delivery system reaching into the handpiece (48) for recognition of the handpiece rotation with respect to the delivery system (50).
 14. An arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the light guide between a delivery device and the handpiece (48) is made of a material, in particular of GeO, GeO₂, sapphire or ZrF₄, which conducts laser pulses up to 50 mJ and/or a mean laser output of 5 W in the wavelength range preferably between 2.69 μm and 2.94 μm, as well as in particular additionally in the wavelength range between 400 nm and 1000 nm, and/or wherein the light guide (14) to be introduced into the canal (10) is made of a material, in particular of OH-reduced silica or sapphire, which conducts laser pulses up to 50 mJ and/or a mean laser output of 5 W in the wavelength range preferably between 2.69 μm and 2.94 μm, as well as in particular additionally in the wavelength range between 400 nm and 1000 nm.
 15. An arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the diameter of the light-conducting core of the light guide (14) lies between 150 μm and 600 μm, in particular between 118 μm and 250 μm, wherein the light guide preferably has a protective layer on its outer side, and/or wherein the light guide (14) has an outer diameter between 200 μm and 300 μm and/or a length between 25 mm and 40 mm.
 16. An arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the laser is a diode-pumped Er:YAG laser, Er:YSGG laser or CTE laser with, in particular, a pulse duration between 5 μs and 1000 μs, preferably in the range 25 μs to 400 μs, especially preferred 50 μs to 200 μs, and/or a pulse energy between 0.5 mJ and 50 mJ, in particular between 1 mJ and 10 mJ and/or a mean output between 0.5 W and 10 W, preferably between 1 W and 3 W, with a pulse repetition rate in the range 50 Hz to 2000 Hz, preferably 50 Hz to 800 Hz.
 17. An arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the arrangement is provided with a control device (40) preferably with touchscreen (42), as well as a housing that encloses the laser, which is connected to a supply device, in particular a medical one, through which the arrangement can be supplied with water and/or compressed air.
 18. An arrangement according to claim 9, with a diode pumped Er:YAG-/Er:YSGG/CTE:YAG laser providing a cleanliness check of the canal via the same optical fiber tip used for the canal cleaning using following excitation/detection wavelength ranges for bacteria fluorescence detection: a) excitation 405-450 nm/detection 570-650 nm b) excitation 600-700 nm/detection 750-880 nm.
 19. An arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the laser device (302) has no connection to pressurized air and/or water of a dental chair (treatment center).
 20. An arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the laser device (302) is a table top device.
 21. An arrangement according to claim 9, wherein water mist is generated emanating from the hand piece via an airless working nozzle.
 22. An arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the handpiece (212) is built with a central, not sterilizable part containing optics and electronics and an outer removable, sterilizable envelope as housing or shell with additional optical windows to allow the measurement radiation pass through the shell.
 23. An arrangement according to claim 9, wherein optical fibers (224) are added inside the handpiece (212) in front of sensitive sections of at least one time-to-flight sensor (220) to provide additional pathway length.
 24. An arrangement according to claim 23, wherein the optical fibers (224) have a length of 2-8 cm.
 25. An arrangement according to claim 23, wherein two or more time-to-flight sensors (230) or measuring chips are used in combination with fibers of different length targeting on the same region to create overlapping time bins to improve the distance resolution.
 26. An arrangement according to claim 25, wherein time delay differences are created with optical fibers as delay lines of e.g. 25 ps in case of two chips or 16 ps and 32 ps in case of 3 chips to improve the distance resolution by enabling to interpolate between the different time bins.
 27. An arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the container (300) is partially filled with 10 ml-1 l, most preferable 100 ml-250 ml fluid.
 28. An arrangement according to claim 27, wherein the fluid in the container (300) can be sterilized water, physiological saline solution optionally containing bactericidal ingredients as e.g. H₂O₂ or CHX (chlorhexidine).
 29. An arrangement according to claim 9, wherein a second container with a sterilization fluid can be attached instead of the cleaning fluid for example daily or weekly cleaning.
 30. An arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the sterilization fluid container has means for identification e.g. RF ID chip or a mechanical marker.
 31. An arrangement according to claim 9, wherein a second container for sterilization fluid is attached to the laser device additionally to the cleaning fluid container (300).
 32. An arrangement according to claim 31, wherein, the second container is filled with pressurized gas or a fluid that generates 3-8 bar vapor pressure to support the pressurization of the cartridges mounted on the hand piece. 